Congrats, Lisa Howard!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 11:47am

I find it so exciting when you learn certain performers are from your area. Here is an article from the Akron Beacon Journal by Kerry Clawson. Lisa Howard went to Firestone High School, a school that most of my friends go to:


Musical with Akron native gets six Tony nominations

Win would help 'Spelling Bee' stay open longer. Awards show June 5

By Kerry Clawson

Beacon Journal staff writer

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee -- the musical marking Akron native Lisa Howard's Broadway debut -- received six Tony Award nominations Tuesday.

It was nominated for best musical, book of a musical (Rachel Sheinkin), original score (William Finn), and direction (Mansfield native James Lapine). Acting nods also went to Dan Fogler, featured actor in a musical; and Celia Keenan-Bolger, featured actress in a musical.

The quirky ensemble show, which features six young spellers in a battle of words, opened May 2 on Broadway after an acclaimed off-Broadway run. Fogler is a comic who created the gross preteen William Barfee in Bee's original improv sketch incarnation. Keenan-Bolger plays mousy speller Olive Ostrovsky.

Howard, a Firestone High School graduate, plays officious bee hostess Rona Lisa Peretti. She said it makes sense that actors playing the child spellers have been nominated for Tonys: "The gimmick of the show is the kids."

"It's an honor just that the show itself has been nominated," said Howard, who's crossing her fingers for a best musical win. There's the advertising saying 'Tony Award-winning show.' It helps you stay open longer."

Theentire Bee cast already won the 2004-2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance.

Other Tony nominees for best musical are Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Light in the Piazza and Monty Python's Spamalot, which led all productions with 14 nominations.

The spy thriller Democracy, starring James Naughton and Richard Thomas, has been nominated for best play. The cast features Canton native Lee Wilkof.

Hugh Jackman will host the 59th Annual Tony Awards, which will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall from 8 to 11 p.m. June 5. With the best musical nomination, Howard and the Bee cast will perform a number live at the ceremonies and will have seats on the floor.

This year, the scenic design, costume design and lighting design nominations have been divided into separate categories for plays and musicals.

A special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in Theater will go to playwright Edward Albee. For more information on the awards, see www.tonyawards.com.

Another theatrical telecast, the taped, two-hour 50th Annual Drama Desk Awards, will be on WNEO/WEAO (Channels 45/49) at 10 p.m. May 27. The ceremony, hosted by Harvey Fierstein, will be held May 22 at Lincoln Center in New York. The ceremony also will air on the Web atwww.theatermania.com.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 11:50am

I love me some Lisa Howard. She is fantastic. It's so fun to say "I knew her when."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 2:24pm

That is awesome!

I saw her as Madame Thenardier a few times back in the day. Go Lisa!

[Bcutrell]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 2:33pm

Great News! Lisa will soon be a guest at Mostly Sondheim. Details to come!!!

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 5/13/05 at 2:36pm

WOO! That rocks!
I'm liking this guest star thing, B. Have I just managed to miss guest nights when I show up or is it new?